Ultrasound Screening for Early Detection of Congenital Kidney and Urinary Tract Abnormalities in Neonates

Objective: To determine the incidence of urinary tract congenital abnormalities in apparently healthy newborns by postnatal ultrasound screening, also, to detect the accuracy of prenatal ultrasound screening in excluding thoseabnormalities.
Method: Renal ultrasound screening was performed on300 apparently healthy newborns, aged > 3 days and < 7 days. In case of renal pelvis dilatation (RPD), the anteroposterior diameter (APD) was determined and follow-up protocol was set.
Results: The incidence of renal abnormalities was 5.3% (16/300). One case was right renal agenesis. The other 15 cases were RPD (5%); 12 caseswere mild (APD of 5-9.9 mm) and 3 cases were moderate (APD 10-14.9 mm). Eleven cases out of those 15 cases completed the follow-up. Eight casesshowed resolution within 6 months follow-up. In one case with mild RPD and other case with moderate RPD, there were persistence of RPD at 6th month and right vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) grade II and left VUR grade II were diagnosed respectively. In one case with moderate RPD, follow-up at 1st month revealed progression of RPD and ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) was diagnosed.
Conclusions: Congenital renal abnormalities are not uncommon in apparently healthy newborns and can be missed during the prenatal ultrasound screening.